By Gregory Crofton Marc-André Leclerc climbs the tallest of mountains, some covered with snow and ice, with no ropes to keep him from falling. Climbers call this free soloing. One mistake and you’re dead, and it wouldn’t be a pretty…
‘BAD ATTITUDE’ is a Radical Documentary on Influential Comix Artist Spain Rodriguez; Interview with Director
By Gregory Crofton Buffalo is known for cold-weather football, lake-effect snow, chicken wings and now, at least in my mind, an artist named Spain Rodriguez. Rodriguez grew up in Buffalo, New York. His name at birth was Manuel, but he…
Leonard Bernstein Was Unemployed, Then His Dream Came True
By Gregory Crofton At 25, after bumping around New York City without a consistently paying job, Leonard Bernstein got a call from “God.” Really it was a conductor named Artur Rodziński on the phone, and he told a young Bernstein…
‘Finding Kendrick Johnson’ investigates a covered up murder that’s heartbreaking and maddening
By Gregory Crofton Director Jason Pollock (Stranger Fruit) is back with another documentary that investigates the sudden death, and probable murder, of a young Black man. The 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson was found dead in a high school gym, his body…
‘WOODSTOCK 99’ Offers Up Shocking Archival Footage Along With a Heavy Dose of Morality
By Jonathon Norcross Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage is the first installment in HBO’s freshly launched Music Box docuseries. Executive produced by Bill Simmons, the creator of ESPN’s wildly successful 30 for 30 series, Music Box aims to do…